I 


A  REVIEW 


— OF  THK — 


First  Ten  Years’  History 

— OF  THE — 


OF  THE  WEST. 


Prepared  for  its  Dhcenniai,  Anniversarv  and  Read  in  'ihk  <• 
First  Baptist  Church,  Chicago, 

■  April  14th,  1881. 


By  Mrs.  C.  F.  Tolman. 


CIITCAGO  : 

Woman’s  Baptist  Missionary  Society  of  the  West, 

18S1. 


Ji 

1 


OUR  PLEDGE. 

Given  May  2ist,  1871. 

“  Here  and  now,  forming  an  alliance  for  Christ  and  Christ’s 
work,  with  a  Christlj  self-denial  and  sacrifice,  we  would  pledge 
ourselves  to  give  for  Christ,  to  do  service  for  Christ,  to  live  for 
Christ,  and  in  this  work  perform,  as  far  as  we  shall  be  able,  all 
that  is  implied  in  woman’s  work  for  woman  in  heathen  lands.” 


A  REVIEW  OF  OUR  FIRST  DECADE. 


Glancing  back  a  score  of  years  we  find  the  ])egin- 
ning  of  organized  work  for  heathen  women  in  con¬ 
nection  with  the  churches  of  our  land.  Here,  as 
everywhere  in  Christian  history,  we  see  that  God 
often  uses  small  and  weak  instruments  to  accomplish 
great  and  lasting  results;  and  those  whom  He  thus 
honors  are  often  unconscious  of  the  magnitude  of  the 
service  they  are  performing.  Neither  Mrs.  Mason, 
as  she  related  to  Christian  women  in  New  York  the 
story  of  the  degradation  and  needs  of  their  sisters  in 
India,  nor  Mrs.  Doremus,  as  she,  in  response,  crys- 
talized  her  thoughts  of  Christian  love  and  helpfulness 
in  the  Women’s  Union  Society,  probably  realized  the 
magnitude  which  this  enterprise  would  assume.  Its 
example  and  success  aroused  the  women  in  various 
denominations  to  take  up  this  work  in  connection 
with  their  respective  Boards;  and  ten  years  ago  our 
Baptist  women  enlisted  in  this  service. 

PRE-niSTORlC  PERIOD. 

To  every  enterprise  there  belongs  a  'prc-historic 
period.  In  tracing  the  history  of  our  own  Society 
we  find  that  for  more  than  a  year  prior  to  its  organ¬ 
ization,  a  thought  of  it  rested  in  the  hearts  of  a  few 
women  in  Chicago.  Personal  knowledge  of  the 
degradation  and  needs  of  heathen  women,  kept  fresh 
and  alive  by  frequent  correspondence  with  the  over¬ 
worked  missionaries  abroad,  laid  a  heavy  burden  on 
their  hearts.  The  success  of  other  Women’s  Soci¬ 
eties  raised  the  question,  ‘‘if  they  can  use  this  agency 


2 


with  such  efficiency  why  not  we?'*"’  The  query  was 
quietly  passed  from  one  to  another  of  those  interested 
in  the  advance  of  Christ’s  kingdom,  and  the  circle  of  , 
those  ready  to  enlist  in  this  service  gradually  wid¬ 
ened.  Correspondence  revealed  the  fact  that  else¬ 
where  other  hearts  were  carrying  the  same  burden. 
The  missionaries  were  needing  such  help  as  efficient 
Christian  women  could  supply;  and  the  churches  at 
home  needed  the  inspiration  of  such  a  movement. 
At  length  the  officers  of  the  Missionary  Union  sanc¬ 
tioned  the  proposed  society,  and  opened  the  way  for 
its  organization.  This  was  embraced  at  once  by  our 
sisters  in  the  East.  They  sent  us  an  appeal  for  co¬ 
operation,  seconded  by  Dr.  Murdock  in  the  words, 

“  Be  ready  to  move  in  Chicago  as  soon  as  we  can 
mature  the  general  plan.”  The  Executive  Com¬ 
mittee  laid  down  a  basis  of  co-operation  in  a  “  Min¬ 
ute,”  issued  by  them  in  March,  1871,  the  object  of 
which  was  to  resfulate  the  work  and  secure  harmonv 
and  efficiency  on  the  Foreign  Field.  Before,  how¬ 
ever,  the  “general  plan,”  proposed  in  Boston,  for  a 
National  Woman’s  Society  was  matured,  Chicago 
was  ready,  and  a  call  was  issued  b}^  Mrs.  C.  F. 
Tolman,  for  a  meeting  to  convene  at  the  First  Bap¬ 
tist  Church,  Chicago,  for  the  purpose  of  considering 
the  question  of  organizing  a  Society. 

The  fact  that  the  unwritten  history  of  our  Society 
is  as  truly  a  part  of  your  record  as  any  after-history, 
is  my  apology  for  alluding  to  it  on  this  occasion.  Its 
cjuestionings,  trials,  and  discouragements;  its  patient 
waiting,  prayers  and  quiet  efforts,  are  all  written  in 
II  eaveu.  God  was  then  sowing  the  seed  which  has 
resulted  in  this  vigorous  tree,  stretching  wide  its 
branches,  and  yielding  its  fruits  for  the  healing  of  the 
nations.  The  soil  of  Christian  hearts  was  prepared 
by  Heavenly  showers  to  send  forth  the  various  rills 
and  rivulets  of  woman’s  Iienevolencc  and  self-sacri- 


3 


fice.  The  thirsty  deserts  of  heathenism  had  before 
been  watered  by  them,  but  henceforth,  flowing  into 
one  channel,  as  well  as  springing  forth  in  other 
hearts,  the  stream  has  widened  and  deepened,  till  it 
is  a  broad  river,  gently  and  quietly  flowing  into  the 
great  sea  of.  redemption,  which  is  to  refresh  every 
portion  of  humanity’s  sin-stricken  shores. 

FORMATION  OF  THE  SOCIETY. 

This  epoch  of  preparation  and  operation  of  quiet 
but  potent  influences  culminated  in  the  organization 
of  a  Society  in  Chicago,  May  9th,  1871.  It  would 
be  interesting  if  we  could  reproduce  that  meeting, 
held  in  the  former  edifice  of  this  Church,  on  Wabash 
avenue.  We  may  pause  a  moment  to  remember 
that  the  Missionary  Union  was  represented  by  its 
District  Secretary  C.  F.  Tolman,  who  called  the  meet¬ 
ing  to  order  with  words  of  encouragement  and  cheer ; 
that  the  Presiding  Officer  then  chosen,  was  our  pres¬ 
ent  Corresponding  Secretary,  Mrs.  Bacon;  that  Mrs. 
Lyman  Bridges  was  its  Secretary;  that  the  sainted 
Knowlton  told  us  of  the  needs  of  Chinese  women, 
and  bade  us  God-speed;  that  Mrs.  Barker  seconded, 
in  her  most  effective  manner,  the  appeal  by  the  Sec¬ 
retary  of  the  Committee,  in  which  the  great  necessity 
of  such  a  Society  was  presented,  and  the  plans  for  its 
organization  and  work  unfolded.  The  audience  was 
representative,  embracing  members  from  nearly  every 
church  in  the  city,  and  some  from  outside.  So  im¬ 
pressive  were  the  exercises  that  some  then  and  there 
gave  themselves  to  the  work  of  missions  with  a  re¬ 
newed  consecration,  while  others  received  as  a  new 
revelation  the  knowledge  that  in  this  field  of  Chris¬ 
tian  work  there  was  room  for  them.  The  Officers  were 
elected  and  the  vSociety  was  ready  for  work,  its  field 
of  operations  at  home  being  all  the  states  and  territories 


4 

west  of  and  including  the  states  of  Ohio  and  Mich¬ 
igan. 

The  Society  was  especially  favored  in  its  early 
leaders.  Mrs.  Robert  Harris  filled  her  position  of 
President  with  growing  ability  and  favor  for  eight 
years.  The  first  Corresponding  Secretary,  Mrs. 
Tolnian,  and  the  first  Treasurer,  Mrs.  S.  M.  Osgood, 
retained  their  position  for  four  years.  Mrs.  A.  M. 
Bacon  succeeded  Mrs.  Jesse  B.  Thomas  as  Recording 
Secretary,  and  served  one  year,  and  was  then  associ¬ 
ated  in  the  work  of  correspondence  and  editing  the 
Helping  Hand  for  two  years.  Since  the  fourth 
year  she  has  filled  her  present  position  with  eminent 
ability  and  acceptance.  Mrs.  J.  O.  Brayman  was 
chosen  Recording  Secretary  the  second  year,  and 
still  fulfills  the  duties  of  that  office. 

The  first  Joint  Meeting  of  the  two  Societies,  East 
and  West,  in  connection  with  the  National  anniver- 
versaries,  was  also  held  in  the  First  Baptist  Church, 
Chicago,  in  May,  1871.  An  interesting  feature  of 
those  anniversaries  was  the  presenting  of  the  two 
Woman’s  vSocieties  to  the  Missionary  Union.  The 
pledge  given  on  that  occasion  stands  to-day  as  the 
exponent  of  our  object  and  plans.  Assuming  these 
relations,  we  were  accepted  as  auxilliaries  to  that  ven¬ 
erable  body. 

PERP'ECTING  ORGANIZATION. 

Passing  from  the  period  of  inception,  we  come  to 
that  of  more  thorough  organization  and  develop¬ 
ment.  'I'he  first  two  years  were  pre-eminently  form¬ 
ative.  Plans  were  unfolded  and  tested;  forces  in 
hand  were  classified  and  organized.  The  practica¬ 
bility  and  efficiency  of  any  proposed  plan  was  the 
measure  of  its  success,  and  on  this  success  during  its 
first  year  was  to  depend  its  continuance  as  a  distinct 
organization  in  the  west.  This  question  was  finally 


5 


settled,  not  by  the  Committee  of  Thirteen  appointed 
at  the  Joint  Meeting  of  1871,  to  watch  the  workings 
of  tlie  two  Societies,  hut  hy  the  Board  of  this  Soci¬ 
ety,  who,  in  so  doing,  carried  out  the  emphatically 
expressed  wish  of  the  Society  at  its  first  Annual 
Meeting. 

The  work  of  the  officers  of  the  Executive  Board 
was  heavy  and  responsible,  although  much  help  was 
rendered  by  kind  and  wise  advisers  whom  God  raised 
up  for  them,  and  the  Society  was  composed  of  a 
pains-taking  and  judicious  membership,  who  rendered 
their  service  a  free-will  offering  unto  the  Lord.  One 
of  its  first  acts  was  to  appoint  a  Publication  Com¬ 
mittee  to  prepare  and  publish  missionary  intelligence. 
The  Helping  Hand  was  first  published  in  1S71,  in 
connection  with  the  Missionary  Magazine.  Every 
mode  of  awakening  interest  and  spreading  informa¬ 
tion  through  the  printed  pages  of  our  journals  or  by 
holding  quarterly  and  mass  meetings  was  utilized. 
By  personal  effort  and  written  communication,  those 
fitted  for  leadership  and  to  wield  influence  were  en¬ 
listed  in  this  service. 

The  plan,  then  as  now,  embraced  “  a  Circle  in 
every  church,  and  eveiy  woman  a  member  of  the 
Circle.”  How  to  secure  this,  was  then,  as  now,  the 
problem,  and  numerous  objections  and  prejudices  had 
to  be  overcome. 

The  detailed  events  of  these  first  two  years  need 
not  be  given.  The  lurid  glare  and  wild  horrors  of 
the  fire  of  1871.  have  not  faded  from  our  memories, 
nor  have  the  anxieties,  which,  under  those  circum¬ 
stances,  attended  the  prosecution  of  this  work,  and 
the  sending  out  of  owx first  missionary Miss  A.  L. 
Stevens.  Our  funds,  though  small,  had  steadily  in¬ 
creased  during  the  first  quarter  Miss  Stevens  had 
been  accepted,  and  her  face  was  turned  towards 
Burma.  After  the  fire  it  was  first  feared  she  could 


6 


not  be  sent,  but  with  the  lielp  of  our  sister  Society 
she  was  equipped  for  the  journey,  and  our  plans  were 
carried  out.  The  second  quarter,  Miss  Lavinia  Pea- 
])ody  •  applied,  was  accepted,  and  sailed  in  January, 
and  at  the  third  quarterly  meeting  the  support  of 
Mrs.  A.  K.  Scott,  in  Assam,  was  assumed.  Three 
schools  were  aided  and  two  Bible  Women  supported. 
The  amount  of  money  contril)uted  the  first  year  was 
$4,244.69. 

The  appointment  of  State  Secretaries  was  recom¬ 
mended  by  the  Board  and  sanctioned  by  the  Society, 
vSeptemher,  1872.  Mrs.  Clement  Leach,  of  Illinois, 
was  the  first  to  accept  this  office,  and  continued  in 
the  work  six  years.  The  second  year  they  were 
more  generally  appointed,  and  were  directed  to 
choose  Associational  Secretaries,  and  the  work  was 
more  thoroughly  systematized  and  divided.  A  greater 
number  of  ladies  of  wealth  and  influence  identified 
themselves  with  the  Societv.  At  the  close  of  the 
second  year  the  Circles  numbered  225,  and  the  re¬ 
ceipts  were  $6,390.88.  Misses  Eastman  and  Ran¬ 
kin  were  sent  to  Toungoo  and  Gowhati,  and  Miss 
Bronson’s  support  assumed,  making  in  all  six  mis¬ 
sionaries  under  our  charge,  five  schools  aided,  besides 
specific  funds  sent  to  other  missionaries. 

GROWTH. 

The  Jo7'mative  period  was  followed  by  one  of 
steady  a7id  rapid  groivth.  The  plans  of  work  and 
principles  of  action  adopted  during  those  years 
proved  to  be  wise  and  reliable.  The  foundations 
were  well  and  firmly  laid;  vexing  questions  of  pol¬ 
icy  were  settled;  prejudices  were  largely  overcome, 
and  the  Society  had  secured  a  recognized 
among  the  missionary  agencies  of  our  land. 

During  the  last  eight  years,  bereavements,  changes 
in  leadership,  and  dark  providences,  have  cast  deep 


/ 


sliadows;  new  perplexities  have  been  met  and  un¬ 
ravelled;  clear  heads  and  cool  judgments  have  been 
needed  in  emergencies,  but  the  God  of  Missions  has 
so  guarded  and  blessed,  so  over-ruled  even  mistakes 
and  errors  of  judgment,  that  through  all  can  be  seen 
a  steady  advancement. 

The  sudden  death  of  Miss  Maria  Bronson  was  an¬ 
nounced  at  the  Third  Annual  Meeting,  held  with  the 
Second  Baptist  Church,  Chicago,  and  was  an  afflict¬ 
ive  providence  in  which  we  all  were  bereaved,  and 
which  touched  many  hearts  hitherto  callous  to  the 
interest  of  missions. 

Much  interest  at  this  time  centered  around  Miss 
Peabody’s  school  in  Ramapatam.  She  had  collected 
her  pupils,  and  wrote  home  with  characteristic  en- 
ergy,  “  I  shall  begin  my  school,  if  I  have  to  gather 
my  pupils  under  a  banyan  tree.”  Zenana  work 
among  the  high-class  Hindi!  women  was  opening 
with  encouragement  before  our  missionaries  in  India. 
During  the  third  year  Miss  Baldwin  and  Miss 
Watson  were  sent  to  Burma,  The  sending  of  the 
latter  was  contingent  on  the  raising  of  funds 
for  her  outfit  and  traveling  expenses,  the 
treasury  being  empty  at  the  time  of  her  applica¬ 
tion.  Then  Michigan,  which  gave  us  the  missionary, 
first  showed  us  how  royally  she  could  endow  her 
daughters,  and  what  grand  results  she  could  achieve 
by  energetic  and  simultaneous  effort  and  self-denial. 
In  a  short  time  the  needed  funds  were  raised  and  Miss 
W atson  on  her  way. 

In  the  home  field  the  social  element  was  being- 
made  a  power  in  the  Circles.  Interesting  incidents 
showed  tangible  fruits  of  faithful,  harmonious  effort. 
One  church  in  Illinois  is  mentioned,  who,  the  year 
before  the  formation  of  a  “  Mission  Circle  ”  in  its 
midst,  had  contributed  only  $2.00  to  foreign  mis¬ 
sions.  The  first  year  their  church  sent  $37.00  for  the 


8 


37  women  in  their  cliiirch,  and  including  the  offering 
of  tlie  church  to  the  Union,  had  given  that  year 
$73.00  to  foreign  missions. 

Another  Circle  is  the  first  reported  as  ;i  “  perfect 
Circle,”  sending  this  year  $17.00  for  the  17  women 
in  their  church,  with  a  good,  live  interest  in  the  great 
work  as  a  whole. 

Our  first  legacy,  of  $150.00,  from  Mrs.  L.  L. 
Lansing,  of  Iowa,  was  received  the  fourth  year,  the 
vSociet}^  having  become  previously  incorporated,  and 
ahle  legally  to  receive  such  gifts. 

Our  missionary  re-inforcement  for  this  year  was 
Miss  Mary  A.  Wood,  who  was  sent  to  the  Telugus. 
Plans  were  laid  for  supplying  Miss  Bronson’s  vacant 
place,  but  failed.  ''  Appropriations  to  the  school  work 
were  greatly  increased,  and  $500.00  appropriated  to 
the  Missionary  Union  for  Miss  Field’s  support. 

The  Annual  Report  of  the  Board  for  1873  gives 
enlarged  views  of  the  work  abroad.  “  It  must  he,” 
say  they,  for  the  perishing  for  whom.  Christ  died; 
for  any  poor  heathen,  man  or  woman,  boy  or  girl.” 
We  also  find  this  statement:  “Our  plans  may,  by 
God’s  providence,  be  changed,  enlarged  and  widened 
before  the  close  of  our  first  decade.”  It  closes  with 
an  earnest  appeal,  not  only  for  laborers  for  the  whit¬ 
ening  field,  but  for  consecration  of  heart  and  soul 
purse  and  possession,  to  this  service. 

At  the  close  of  the  fourth  year  the  Corresponding- 
Secretary  and  Treasurer  retired  from  their  ofiices, 
held  since  the  organization  of  the  Society.  They 
were  succeeded  by  Mrs.  A.  M.  Bacon  and  Mrs.  C. 
R.  Blackall.  The  total  receipts  for  1875  were  $10,- 
277.34,  being  an  advance  in  two  years  of  $3,836.46. 
The  number  of  the  Circles  were  500  against  255  in 

'^73- 

The  Fifth  Anniversary,  held  with  the  Fourth 
Church  of  this  city,  was  favored  with  the  presence 


9 


of  Dr.  Murdock.  In  his  forcible  and  eloquent  ad¬ 
dress  he  confessed  that  at  its  inception  he  was  not  in 
favor  of  a  separate  AVoman’s  organization  for  the 
West,  but  that  now  his  feelings  had  undergone  a 
complete  revolution.  He  testified  that  the  Woman’s 
Society  had  done  more  than  merely  furnish  money. 
“  It  had  given  form,  shape,  and  efficiency  to  the  mis¬ 
sionary  spirit  in  the  churches.” 

At  this  meeting:  were  held  the  farewell  exercises 
preparatory  to  the  return  of  Miss  Higby  to  Burma. 

During  the  fifth  year  the  receipts  were  increased 
by  building  fund  of  $3,000,  raised  by  a  committee  in 
whose  charge  it  was  placed  at  the  fourth  anniversaiw. 
Five  hundred  dollars  of  this  was  raised  at  the  semi¬ 
annual  meeting  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  and  was  mostly 
contributed  by  friends  in  that  state.  This  was  ap¬ 
plied  to  school  buildings  in  Gowhati,  Ramapatam, 
jp.nd  Hentheda,  where  our  educational  work  needed 
enlargement  and  large  outlays.  Miss  Wood  was  ex¬ 
pected  to  move  to  Ongole,  to  take  charge  of  the 
girls’  normal  school,  and  with  this  in  view  appropri¬ 
ations  of  $1,200  were  voted  for  purchasing  a  school 
building  in  Ongole,  and  $1,000  for  pupils. 

Assam  was  finally  re-enforced  by  Misses  Keeler 
and  Sweet,  and  Miss  Watson  removed  to  Zeegong 
to  engage  in  direct  evangelical  labor. 

Two  legacies  were  received  at  this  j^oint  in  our 
history,  one  of  $500  from  Mrs.  Mulford,  of  Evan¬ 
ston,  Ill.,  and  $1,000  from  Mrs.  Hillman,  of  Minne¬ 
sota.  These  gifts,  coming  in  successive  years,  were 
timely  and  encouraging  to  the  Board,  who  had  made 
these  large  appropriations  in  humble  faith  that  God 
would  incline  the  hearts  of  the  people  to  supply  the 
needed  means. 

The  steady  increase  of  funds  enabled  the  Board  to 
make  an  advance  movement,  and  China  appears  for 


lO 


tlie  first  time  in  our  list  of  missions.  Miss  Thomp¬ 
son  arri\'e(l  at  Swatow,  December  14th,  i8y6. 

Miss  Iligbj'  had  been  warmly  welcomed  by  her 
pupils  at  Maulmain,  who  had  begun  the  school  two 
months  before,  in  anticipation  of  her  arrival.  Miss 
Baldwin’s  health  failing  at  Bassein,  she  removed  to 
Toungoo,  where,  as  Mrs.  Cross,  she  has  charge  of  a 
large  school  of  Baku  Karens. 

In  Southern  India  the  approaching  famine  alreadv 
cast  its  dark  shadow.  Miss  Peabody’s  sojourn  in 
Madras,  for  recuperation  of  health  and  medical  study, 
left  the  school  at  Ramapatam  in  Miss  Wood’s 
charge.  Mrs.  Clough  continued  the  care  of  the 
school  and  preparations  for  the  work  at  Ongole,  till 
forced  to  stop  by  the  famine. 

The  next  year  greater  changes  came  upon  the  mis¬ 
sion  by  Miss  Peabody’s  retirement  from  the  station 
after  six  years  faithful  service,  and  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Mary  Wood  Newhall.  Ramapatam  was  stricken, 
and  left  without  a  teacher,  and  the  whole  country 
fainted  under  the  terrible  scourge  depopulating  the 
land.  The  schools  and  mission  interests  there  and  at 
Ongole  were,  however,  carefully  superintended  by 
the  missionaries  at  the  stations. 

Generous  appropriations  have  been  made  from 
that  time  to  the  present,  to  meet  the  pressing  needs 
of  the  thousands  of  newly  converted  Telugus. 
Grand  investments  have  these  proved  for  the  Society 
of  the  West.  The  first  great  ingathering  in  the  On¬ 
gole  district  is  stated  to  be  largely  owing,  under  God, 
to  the  direct  efforts  of  Mrs.  Clough’s  pupils  in  the 
normal  school. 

The  seventh  year,  on  the  home  field,  we  are  told 
in  the  Annual  Report,  may  be  considered  a  revival 
year.  “  Not  so  much  a  period  of  fruit-bearing  as  of 
reconstruction  and  preparation  for  future  harvests.” 
Abroad  there  was  much  of  interest.  In  Toungoo, 


Miss  Eastman  was  left  alone  with  heavy  burdens. 
The  dej^arture  of  the  resident  missionaries  had  left 
the  charge  of  the  station  and  the  superintendence  of 
its  important  interests  among  the  Karens  devolving 
upon  her. 

Miss  Watson  had  returned  to  Henthada  as  Mrs. 
Hancock,  and  was  continuing  evangelistic  work  as  a 
missionary  of  this  Society. 

Miss  Miller  had  been  sent  to  assist  Mrs.  Packer  in 
the  Rangoon  college,  and  the  support  of  Mrs.  J.  P. 
Pinney  assumed. 

Our  China  mission  was  strengthened  by  sending 
Miss  Norwood  to  Swatow,  who  accompanied  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Ashmore  in  ’78,  and  she  has,  in  company 
w'ith  Miss  Thompson,  made  several  very  interesting 
trips  into  the  interior  of  her  district  and  has  recently 
liad  the  great  joy  of  receiving  the  answer  to  her 
prayer  that  every  girl  in  her  school  might  be  con¬ 
verted. 

We  also  find  growth  apparent  on  the  home  field. 
The  Helping  Iland^  wdiich,  up  to  this  time,  had 
been  an  item  ef  expense  to  the  Society,  in  ’78  added 
a  small  sum  to  the  treasury.  In  ’77  it  was  transfer¬ 
red  to  the  Woman’s  Societies,  Mrs.  Train,  of  Haver¬ 
hill,  being  editor-in-chief,  and  Miss  Stevens  corre¬ 
sponding  editor  in  the  west  for  one  year.  vShe  w^as 
succeeded  by  Mrs.  J.  O.  Brayman,  who  still  holds  the 
position.  The  paper  has  increased  steadily  in  inter¬ 
est  and  popularity,  and  has  each  year  brought  a  larger 
amount  into  the  treasury.  The  amount  reported 
this  year  being  $367.16. 

During  the  last  three  years  the  publication  com¬ 
mittee  has  largely  increased  the  missionary  literature 
of  the  Society.  For  this  there  w^as  a  great  necessity, 
the  earlier  publications  being  almost  entirely  ex¬ 
hausted.  The  educational  series  on  India,  Nos.  i  to 
6,  by  Mrs.  Robert,  was  prepared  with  a  special  view 


12 


to  assist  the  Circles  in  a  systematic  study  of  missions. 

Mrs.  Mitchell’s  First  Fruits  showed  us  the  work 
accomplished  during  the  first  seven  years  of  our  his¬ 
tory;  while  Miss  Fielde’s  graphic  pen-pictures  intro¬ 
duced  to  us  our  dear  sisters  in  China,  Silver  Flower 
and  Sister  Long,  whose  names  soon  became  house¬ 
hold  words.  These  have  been  followed  bv  others, 
the  latest  arrival  being  Sister  Poke,  published  by  the 
Michigan  ladies  and  presented  to  the  Society.  Two 
numbers  of  a  biographical  series  have  been  published, 
being  sketches  of  Mrs.  Wade  and  Mrs.  Newhall.  A 
third,  a  memorial  of  Miss  Bronson,  is  prepared  and 
in  the  hands  of  the  committee.  No  portion  of  the 
home  work  is  more  important,  and  its  vigorous  pros¬ 
ecution  is  a  matter  of  congratulation. 

Another  means  of  awakening  interest  in  our 
workers  is  by  placing  their  photographs  within  reach 
of  all  at  small  cost.  This  has  been  accomplished  by 
the  untiring  efforts  of  Mrs.  Hanmond,  of  Highland 
Park. 

The  opening  of  a  medical  mission  in  Swatow, 
China,  was  an  interesting  fact  of  the  eighth  year. 
For  some  years  medical  missions  had  been  a  subject 
of  consideration,  but  none  were  established  until 
1879,  when  Miss  Carrie  H.  Daniells,  of  Michigan, 
was  appointed  to  Swatow.  Such  an  enterprise  re¬ 
quires  considerable  outlay,  and  here  again  Michigan 
liberally  responded  by  providing  nearly  all  of  the  re¬ 
quired  amount  for  building  a  hospital. 

Mrs.  Harris,  retiring  from  the  presidency  at  the 
close  of  the  eighth  year,  Mrs.  H.  M.  Robert,  of  Mil¬ 
waukee,  was  chosen  to  this  office.  Mrs.  Black- 
all,  after  four  years  of  faithful  service  as  treasurer, 
was  succeeded  by  Mrs.  F.  A.  Smith. 

There  were  also  changes  in  the  Executive  Board, 
owing  to  the  removal  of  several  members  who  had 
served  from  its  organization.  Though  these,  our 


dear  and  tried  friends,  are  widely  scattered,  they  will 
ever  be  remembered  by  their  co-laborers  in  this  ser¬ 
vice. 

Turning  to  the  mission  field  we  find  changes  there 
as  well  as  at  home.  Miss  Keeler  had  left  Gowahati 
in  charge  of  Mrs.  Bronson,  and  joined  Miss  Sweet  at 
Nowgong  after  the  departure  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Neighbor.  Failure  of  health  soon  forced  Miss  Sweet 
to  leave  the  mission,  and  Miss  Keeler  had  entire 
charge,  aided  by  the  native  pastor  and  assistants,  un¬ 
til  the  arrival  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore,  in  January, 
1880.  Miss  Eastman  had  been  similarly  situated,  and 
her  burden  was  made  peculiarly  trying  by  an  out- 
•break  of.  cholera  in  the  school.  Miss  Ambrose  was 
sent  to  her  assistance  and  was  warmly  welcomed, 
and  the  two  have  much  to  say  of  encouragement  in 
the  work,  and  the  joy  of  labouring  together  for 
Christ. 

At  the  semi-annual  meeting  in  Alton,  Misses 
Lightfoot  and  Inveen  were  set  apart  for  missionary 
service,  and  soon  sailed  for  Ningpo,  China,  where 
bright  prospects  for  usefulness  are  opening  before 
them  in  the  school  established  by  Dr.  Lord. 

The  history  of  the  tenth  year  is  familliarto  all,  and 
needs  but  a  hasty  review.  Mrs.  A.  J.  Howe  was 
chosen  president  at  Detroit,  and  with  this  exception, 
there  have  been  but  few  changes  on  the  home  held. 
The  year  has  been  marked  with  a  revival  of  intelli¬ 
gent  interest;  more  study  and  inquiry  about  the 
work,  and  increased  facilities  for  this  study.  A 
marked  feature  has  been  the  dividing  of  the  work  by 
the  board  into  departments  placed  in  charge  of  com¬ 
mittees  who  report  their  progress  at  its  monthly  meet¬ 
ings.  Ladies  of  ability  outside  the  board  have  been  in¬ 
duced  to  assist  in  this  committee  work.  The  “Bureau  of 
Intelligence  ”  has  done  a  grand  work,  and  has  a  grand 
future  before  it.  So  of  the  other  branches  iut<j 


H 


which  the  work  is  widening  and  spreading.  Every¬ 
where  God  is  sounding  the  call  to  advance  ;  from 
every  heart  may  we  not  hear  the  glad  response, 
“  Lo,  I  come,  to  do  thy  will,  O  God.” 

A  special  anxiety  has  been  felt  this  year  on  the 
subject  of  finances.  The  large  amount  to  be  raised 
gave  rise  to  serious  fears  of  a  deficit,  which,  as  yet 
the  Society  has  never  reported.  But,  as  in  former 
years,  God  has  answered  prayer  and  honored  the 
faith  of  his  people. 

Our  foreign  mission  force  has  been  strengthened 
by  the  sending  out  of  Miss  Palmer,  of  Michigan, 
to  Toungoo,  Burma,  and  Miss  Menke,  of  Prussia, 
to  Madras,  India. 

CLOSING  SUMMARY. 

Coming,  then,  to  the  close  of  this  hasty  and  im])er- 
fect  review;  looking  at  the  beginnings  of  this  work 
and  whereunto  they  have  grown,  we  can  but  say, 
“  What  hath  God  wrought!  ”  He,  “  sitting  over 
against  the  treasury,”  has  permitted  us  to  record  the 
following  to  his  honor  and  glory.  This  decennial 
year  our  receipts  have  reached  $19,386.11,  against 
$4,344  the  first  year.  The  total  of  the  ten  years’ 
contributions  are  nearly  $144,000. 

This  decennial  record  is  closed  with  all  our  appro¬ 
priations  met,  and  no  debt  to  mar  its  pages.  To  God 
be  all  the  glory. 

Of  the  twenty-four  missionaries  who  have  been 
sent  abroad  and  supported,  eight  are  from  Illinois, 
four  from  lovvui,  four  from  IMichigan,  two  from  Ohio, 
and  one  each  from  Indiana,  Missoui'i  and  Wisconsin, 
besides  two  assumed  wliile  on  the  forei^'n  field.  Four 
have  married  missionaries  of  the  Onion,  two  ha\'e 
gone  to  other  fields,  and  two  are  in  this  country. 


15 


Two  of  them  have  entered  into  the  rest;  “  He  giveth 
His  beloved  sleep.” 

“  They  are  named  softlj^  as  the  household  names 
Of  those  whom  God  hath  taken.” 

Cherished  are  their  memories  and  inspiring  their  ex¬ 
amples  of  quiet,  consecrated  Christian  womanhood. 
We  pause  a  moment  to  ask,  who  is  ready  to  take  up 
the  work  they  have  laid  down? 

But  what  of  our  home  workers?  We  have  named 
onlv  a  few  of  them.  Blessed  be  each  one,  however 
humble,  for  every  name  and  deed  is  written  in  God’s 
book  of  remembrance.  To  each  one  shall  be  said  by  the 
Master,  “  Inasmuch  as  ye  did  it  unto  one  of  the  least 
of  these,  ye  did  it  unto  me.”  Some  of  them  too  have 
tasted  the  glad  fruition  of  all  earthly  hope  in  the  Par¬ 
adise  of  God.  They,  too,  are  not  forgotten,  nor  are 
others  who  have  been  wont  to  gather  in  each  meet¬ 
ing  of  this  Society,  but  who  are  now  far  distant,  and 
doing  the  Master’s  work  in  other  fields. 

In  this  glad  day  of  reunion  and  rejoicing,  let  the 
spring  of  all  our  joys  be,  that  we  have  been  counted 
zvorthy  to  perform  this  service  for  our  divine  Lord. 

While  we  thank  him  for  the  consecrated  women 
representing  us  abroad;  for  our  noble  body  of  home 
workers,  with  their  efficient  leadei’s;  for  the  judg¬ 
ment  which  has  planned,  the  energy  that  has  exe¬ 
cuted,  and  the  success  that  has  crowned  our  efiforts, 
let  us  not  glory  in  all  or  any  of  these.  Let  our  glo- 
rying  be  in  the  assurance  that  “  ut’  are  zvorkers  to¬ 
gether''''  zuitkChrlst.  Crowned  with  this  honor ; stim¬ 
ulated  by  a  tireless  ambition  to  save  souls;  and  bring¬ 
ing  our  energies  to  the  work  solely  to  advance  His 
honor  and  glory,  what  may  we  not  hope  to  accom- 
j)]ish  in  our  next  decade? 

^Vnd  in  the  glories  of  the  heavenly  leunion,  w  hen, 
with  the  ransomed  throng,  our  crowns  shall  all  be 


i6 


cast  at  Jesus’  feet;  when  we  shall  greet  redeemed 
souls  from  every  nation  under  Heaven,  in  that  glo¬ 
rious  host  whom  none  shall  be  able  to  number,  then, 
through  the  countless  ages  of  eternity,  shall  we  ever 
be  learning  what  Christian  womanhood  has  accom¬ 
plished  for  Christ  and  the  world. 


GRAIN  ON  THE  HARVEST  FIELD. 

Tliere's  grain  on  the  harvest  held, 

And  the  song  of  those  who  reap 

Shall  hll  the  air  with  gladness, 

And  over  the  mountains  sweep. 

There’s  grain  on  the  harvest  held ; 

^Fork,  work  while  the  day  is  on ; 

The  sun  has  passed  his  noontide. 

And  the  light  will  soon  be  gone. 

There’s  grain  on  the  harvest  held. 

And  the  reapers  shall  be  paid; 

The  King  has  promised  to  the  work 
His  succor  and  His  aid. 

There’s  grain  on  the  harvest  held. 

But  the  garnering  time  is  nigh, 

When  angels  with  rejoicing  songs 
W’ill  bear  the  sheaves  on  high. 


List  of  the  publications  of  the  Society  which  may  be  ordered 
of  Mrs.  F.  A.  Smith,  71  Randolph  Street,  Chicago,  Ill. 


Silver  Flower’s  Account  of  Herself  . 1  cent  each. 

How  it  Came  to  Pass  that  at  Evening  Time  it  was  Light . 1  cent  each. 

How  can  we  make  our  Mission  Circlesa  Powerin  our  Churches. 1  cent  each. 

India  Leaflets — Nos.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7 . .1  cent  each. 

Whose  Sheaves  ? .  1  cent  each. 

Our  New  Sister  Poke . 1  cent  each. 

Sketch  of  Mrs.  D.  B.  L.  Wade . : . 5  cents  each. 

Sketch  of  Mrs.  Mary  Wood  Newhall . 5  cents  each. 

Training  Bible  Women . 5  cents  each. 

Small  Maps .  . 15  cents. 

Annual  Reports . 10  cents  each. 

Decennial  History . 5  cents  each. 

Swedish  and  German  Leaflets. 


BUREAU  OF  INTELLIGENCE. 

Foreign. — Mrs.  C.  G.  Hammond,  Highland  Park.  Letters,  ap¬ 
peals,  and  papers  from  Missionaries,  and  sketches  of  their  lives. 

Home. — Mrs.  F.  O.  Marsh,  211  31st  Street,  Chicago.  Original 
Papers  and  Poems  in  manuscript  for  Circles  and.  Public  Meet¬ 
ings. 

Children's  Work. — Mrs.  J.  A.  Smith,  Morgan  Park,  Ill. 
Papers,  Poems,  Dialogues,  and.  attractive  Programmes, 


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